Changes in the rules of football have always been slow and few, but in recent years there has been progress in modifications that tend towards greater transparency in the game and to optimize good practices and eliminate vices, which are not seen in other sports. Net playing time, for example, is an obsession for those who govern the activity, and penalizing delays is a clear objective. Well, this Saturday will be a key day for football, since the International Football Association Board (IFAB) will meet to determine substantial reforms in several aspects. Here, we review some of the issues that could be made official in the coming hours.
1) Communicate the VAR decision to the entire stadium
It is something that is already used in some leagues, such as the Mexican one, for example, and also in FIFA competitions, such as the Under 20 World Cup that took place in 2023 in our country. In a controversial situation, in which the VAR must intervene, the final decision from the video analysis of the action is communicated by the central referee to the entire public. He does this because the microphone he carries transmits his words through the stadium’s sound system. This resource has long been used in other sports, such as rugby or American football.
2) The referee could wear a body camera
Many times they remain in the nebulous game or disciplinary situations that occur around the highest authority of the party. That is why it is recommended that the referees carry with them a body camwhich would allow not only to have another point of view when it comes to a controversial action, but also direct access to scenes of tumult or protests.
3) Only the captain can talk to the referee
This would be a crucial and disruptive modification, since it would force the vast majority of footballers to change habits and vices. There is a tendency to put a stop to widespread protests. If this change in the rule is confirmed, only the captain would be authorized to have dialogue with the referee, as occurs, for example, in rugby. Any other footballer who protests will be penalized with a card. This practice has already begun to be tested in lower division matches in some countries.
4) The incorporation of the blue card
At this point there are more doubts than conviction. It would be an intermediate card between the red (expulsion) and yellow (reprimand), which would give the referee the power to exclude a footballer temporarily (it is said to be 10 minutes), something that, for example, happens in rugby. However, according to the English newspaper The Telegraph, this measure is shaky due to the criticism that arose from the Premier League itself. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou warned that those tasked with reforming the rules would “destroy” the sport with the controversial proposals, while Jürgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta, Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie Howe expressed concern.
5) Adjust minutes added for time loss
The World Cup in Qatar brought with it the novelty of a lot of added time in each half, due to interruptions during the match. Net playing time is an obsession for football authorities, who want this to be strictly complied with. And they will also pay special attention to the delays that goalkeepers usually make, both when they have to serve from the fence – the now obsolete 6-second rule – and when they drop to the ground due to an injury.
